Antibiotics destomycin A and B and a method for producing same using streptomyces rimofaciens

ABSTRACT

Destomycins A and B and a process for producing said destomycins which comprises cultivating Streptomyces rimofaciens ATCC No. 21066 in under submerged aerobic conditions an aqueous carbohydrate solution (pH 6-9 preferably near 7) containing nitrogenous nutrient at a temperature of 25*-30*C, preferably 27*-28*C for 2-4 days until the substantial amount of said antibiotics is produced in said medium and recovering destomycins A and B thus produced from the cultured broth.

' United States Patent [191 Kondo et a1.

[ Dec. 16, 1975 ANTIBIOTICS DESTOMYCIN A AND B AND A METHOD FOR PRODUCING SAME USING STREPIOMYCES RIMOFACIENS [75] Inventors: Shinichi Kondo, Yokohama; Masaji Sezaki; Makiko Koike, both of Tokyo; Masaru Shimura, Yokohama; Eiichi Akita, Tokyo; Kimio Satoh, Kawasaki; Kazuko Hamamoto, Kokubunji; Taro Niida, Yokohama; Takeshi Hara, Tokyo, all of Japan [73] Assignee: Meiji S'eika Kaisha, Ltd., Tokyo,

Japan [22] Filed: Apr. 11, 1967 [21] Appl. No.: 630,084

[52] US. Cl 260/210 AB; 424/118 [51] Int. Cl. A61K 35/00; C07I-I 15/20 [58] Field of Search 167/65 AB; 260/210 AB;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,067,100 12/1962 Hata et a]. 167/65 3,100,176 8/1963 Ehrlich et al. 167/65 Primary Examiner-Sam Rosen Assistant Examiner-Daren M. Stephens [5 7] ABSTRACT Destomycins A and B and a process for producing said destomycins which comprises cultivating Streptomyces rimofaciens ATCC No. 21066 in under submerged aerobic conditions an aqueous carbohydrate solution (pH 6-9 preferably near 7) containing nitrogenous nutrient at a temperature of 2530C, preferably 2728C for 2-4 days until the substantial amount of said antibiotics is produced in said medium and recovering destomycins A and B thus produced from the cultured broth.

9 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures US. Patent Dec. 16, 1975 I'I'I'I'II'I'I'I'I 4000 3600 3200 2800 2400 2000 1800 1600 1400 1200 1000 FIG.2

I I I FIG. 3

i'|'|'i' -I- 1 40 J 3600 3200 2800 2400 20001800 1600 1400 i200 1000 800 600 Diameier of ifihiic iicm ring 01 m o j J i l 1 l I Bcfiilus subfilis ATCC 6633 Mycobocierium 607 I I I I I I I 50 100200400 100020004000 Concentration of anribioiic ANTIBIOTICS DESTOMYCIN A AND B AND A METHOD FOR PRODUCING SAME USING STREPTOMYCES RIMOFACIENS The new antibiotics destomycins A and B inhibit 10 mainly plant-pathogenic organisms, are effective for inhibiting the growth of Gram-positive bacteria,.Gramnegative bacteria, molds and have insecticidal activity.

Destomycin A closely resembles hygromycin B and marcomycin but is clearly differentiated from them in 15 respect of optical activity and antibacterial activity against various bacteria and seems to be different in structure of constituent. Destomycin B also similar to these antibiotics but is clearly differentiated from them in respect of antibacterial activity against various bac- 20 teria, particularly against acid-fast bacteria.

Referring to the drawings:

FIGS. 1 and 2 are curves of the infrared absorption spectrum of destomycins A and B taken with potassium bromide respectively.

FIG. 3 shows spreading curves of destomycins A and B hygromycin B measured by cup method on agar plate, using Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633 and Mycobacterium 607 as the test bacteria.

Streptomyces rimofaciens is a new strain which was isolated byinventors from a soil sample collected at Mitsuike park, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama city and has been deposited in American Type Culture Collection under the ATCC number 21066.

This strain is in possession of following characteristics.

l. Morphological characteristics.

1. Aerial mycellium: Branching filaments with both primary and secondary whorl formation.

2. Spores: Oval, 0.6 0.8 by 0.8 1.3 ,r, surface smooth. II. Cultural characteristics on various media.

medium (37C.)

surface cream Media v Growth Aerial mycelium Soluble pigment The others Sucrose-Cz apek agar Colorless, weak White, with pale pink 7 None (28C.) penetrate into to pinkish yellow medium tinge slightly (cottony) Glycerol-Czapek agar Yellow or green- Thin, poor (powdery) Brown (28C.) ish yellow, later yellowish to pale brownish, thick, yellowish green good Glucose asparagine Greenish yellow White, gradually Pale yellow to agar (Krainsky) to yellowish change to light pale yellowish (28C.) brown, penetrate brown or pale brown into medium yellowish orange.

powdery good Glucose-asparagine Pale brown to pale Thin, cream to pale Pale yellowish agar (Uschinsky) yellowish brown greenish yellow, brown slightly (28C.) later light brown, observed powdery Calcium malate to Colorless, poor White, cottony. None agar (28C.) bear slightly Glycerol-calcium Pale yellow to Pale yellow to pale At latter of malate agar yellowish brown greenish yellow culture pale (28C.) gradually margin of colonies brown orange, powdery thin Bouillon agar Good, raised, Hardly grow, Dark brown (28C.) cracks form, cream thick, pale to brown yellow or olive Glucose-bouillon Raised, wrinkled. Cream to pale Dark brown agar (28C.) cracks form, olive, powdery good, surface cream, reverse brown to dark brown Starch ammonium Yellow. observed White to pale At latter of sulfate agar partly dull yellowish orange, culture light (28C. brownish spots lightbrown brown penetrate into colonies. medium cottony good Potate plug Thick raised Powdery. olive None (28C.) wrinkled, cream to partly yellowish gray or brown with age Carrot plug not grow j (28C.)

Bouillon gelatine Good, cream Very scant Brown After 40 medium days culture (28C.) slight liquefaction of gelatine Loeffler's Colonies flat with Thin, powdery, None No liquecoagulated serum radial wrinkles, white faction -continued Media Growth Aerial mycelium Soluble pigment The others reverse yellowish brown Egg medium Thick, very good, White, thick, None brown to yellow good, ish brown, later powdery dull brown Skim milk Good, yellowish None Light brown Coagulation medium (37C white and liquefaction observed Cellulose agar (28C.)

No growth H 5 reaction: (No growth on peptone-iron medium) Tyrosinase reaction: Negative Nitrite producing reaction: Negative Ill. Utilization of carbon sources on Czapeks medium 20 tings. On glycerol synthetic agar medium and organic (no growth on Pridhams medium) Utilized; glucose, fructose, maltose, dextrin, starch,

glycerol, mannitol, sorbitol.

Utilization doubtful: galactose, inositol lactose, raffinose, inulin, dulcitol, sodium acetate,

sodium citrate, sodium succinate, salicin.

Summarizing the above characteristics of the present strain, the growth on the various media is cream or brown, the aerial mycelium often becomes light yellow,

media of bouillon series, blackish brown pigment produced and aerial mycelium not form spirals but form whirls. On starch synthetic agar, secondary whirls remarkably develope.

Not utilized: arabinose, rhamnose, xylose, sucrose, 25 Comparing the above characteristics with the known species of Streptomyces described in The Actinomycetes, Vol. ll, Wakasman, 1961, the present strain is most closely related to Streptomyces olivoverticillatus.

The principle characteristics of the present strain and 30 Streptomyces olivoverticillalus are compared as follows:

light yellowish orange of olive, occasionally grayish Sirepmmyt'es olii'urerlicillams Streptomyces rimofaciens Marphological characteristics forms primary and secondary whirls, whirl-formation is most clearly observed on Sucroseammonium agar.

Spores are elliptic (0.6-0.8)

forms primary and secondary whirls. Particularly secondary whirls are formed on starch synthetic agar.

Spores are elliptic (0.8X0.8

Synthetic agar Growth: trace Aerial mycelium: none Soluble pigment: none colorless, poor white, sometimes pink to pinkish yellow none Glucose-asparagin agar Growth: light olive to somewhat dull yellow. Thin Aerial mycelium: partly becomes yellowish brown to yellowish white Soluble pigment: uncertain light yellow to light yellowish brown Nutrient agar Growth: good, brown A erial mycelium: olive, gray to yellow or green Soluble pigment: brown cracks appear on colonies powdery, thin bear, becomes olive dark brown Potato plug Growth: brown yellowish brown to brown, thick,

good Aerial mycelium: yellowish white olive. yellowish gray or brown to yellowish part extend with age Soluble pigment: brown none Milk Growth: brown yellowish white Aerial mycelium: yellowish white.

poor

Soluble pigment: brown Peptonization: not clear due to effect of pigment none light brown peptonized after coagulation Utilization of carbon so urce Well utilized fructose inositol f ructose, sorbitol mannitol,

-continued Streptomyces olivoverlicillatus Streptomyces rimofaciens maltose Utilization doubtful inositol, galactose As described above, the present strain closely resembles Streptomyces olivoverticillatus on the points that both form whirls, lack spirals, melanineon the organic medium are positive, tyrosinase reaction are negative, liquefaction of gelatine are weak, aerial mycelium are yellowish brown tinge and color of growth are alive on asparagine agar medium. However the main morphological characteristics of the present strain is that remarkable cracks are formed in colonies on bouillon agar and nutrient agar, while Streptomyces olivoverticillatus has no such characteristic.

Further, the present strain does not always coincide with Streptomyces olivoverticillatus in respect of carbohydrate utilization spectrum and of cultural characteristic such as melamineforrnation on potato medium. The present strain, therefore, is closely ,related to Streptomyces olivoverticillatus in classification of Streptomyces but can be easily distinguished from the latter by aforementioned characteristics. Moreover, the present strain has new antibiotics-producing activity which is not observed in Streptomyces olivovert'icillatus so that the present strain appears a novel species and was designated as Streptomyces rimofaciens nov. sp. by the present inventors.

Streptomyces rimofaciens can be clearly distinguished in classification of Streptomyces from Streptomyces hygroscopicus which produces antibiotics hydromycin B or marcomycin resembling with destomycins A and B, on the point that the former forms whirls and not produce hygromycin.

As commonly well known, the cultural characteristics of Streptomyces are liable to vary naturally or artificially. Therefore, in so far as meet the object of this invention destomycin A,B-producing strains such as, for example, the strain closely related to Streptomyces rimofaciens, the strain isolated from a soil as their variant, the strain subjected to artificial variation by the method such as, for example, X-ray radiation, ultra violet ray radiation, use of chemicals can be used in the process of this invention.

On the cultivation of Streptomyces rimofaciens the general knowledge regarding the cultivation of Streptomyces may be applied. Nutrient media which are employed in this process includes. a source of nitrogen such as, for example, soy bean meal, peanut meal, meat extract, peptone, yeast, protein hydrolyzate, inorganic nitrate, ammonium sulfate and a source of carbon such as, for example, glucose starch, glycerol, molasses. If necessary, suitable inorganic salts, anti-foaming agent and the like may be added to the fermentation medium. The present strain is preferable to be cultured on large scale in an aqueous nutrient medium containg above mentioned nutrient sources, particularly under submerged conditions of agitation and aeration. It is preferable to make the fermentation at 25 30C, especially at 27 28C. The optimum pH of the medium is 6 9, preferably near 7.

Destomycins A and B are accumulated mainly in'the cultured liquid in submerged cultivation for 2 4 days. Though the accumulated amount would be influenced by the cultured conditions, in general destomycin A would be accumulated over 400 meg/ml and destomycin B over 50 meg/ml.

To recover destomycins A and B from the cultured broth many means which are usually applied on the known antibiotics may be employed. For example, the desired active, principles may be recovered free from the impurities by utilizing the difference in adsorbing affinity, solubility, distribution coefficient, ionbonding strength between the active principles and the impurities. The active principles may be extracted in the highest yield from the cultured broth by adsorption and elution with ion' exchange resin, particularly cation exchange resinof carboxylic acid type. The cultured broth may be treated as it is for recovering the active principles but it is preferable to use the cultured filtrate from which mycelium was removed by filtration and the like. For elution agents, for example, an aqueous solution of ammonia, hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, sodium chloride, sodium sulfate and the like or an aqueous lower alcohol solution of them may be used. Among them, aqueous ammonia is the best.

Alternatively, the active principles may be recovered by a method forv extracting with an organic solvent in the presence of a carried such as p-toluene-sulfonic acid, lauric acid, oleic acid, and chlorinated phenols, by a method for precipitating by addition of a precipitant such as insoluble solvent or a suitable organic acid to a concentrated solution of the active principles or by a column chromatography with active carbon or alumina etc. These methods may be utilized separately or in combination or repeatedly to recover the active principles in any desired purity. Although both destomycins A and B may be recovered in the form of their acid salts, it is preferable to recover in the form of free bases since they are stable in basic state.

The best method for separating and refining destomycins A and B is to subject to resin-chromatography using anion exchange resin Dowex l X 2. That is to say, an aqueous solution of the crude substance containing free bases of destomycins A and B is applied to a column filled with Dowex 1 X 2 and developed with water, whereby destomycin B fraction first and then destomycin A fraction areobtained. By lyophilizing or concentrating each fraction to dryness under reduced pressure, free bases of destomycins A and B may be obtained. By further repeated resin chromatography, pure destomycins A and B may be isolated.

When S-methyI-B-naphthalene sulfonic acid is added to an aqueous solution of destomycin A or B white crystals of S-methyl-B-naphthalene sulfonate of destomycin A or B are obtained.

The new antibiotic destomycin A obtained by the present process is white crystal and decomposes gradually at C. The elemental analysis of destomycin A is as follows: C:44.70%, l-l:7.42%, N:7.73%, 0:39. 41%, NCH :3.06%, amino N:4.67% (Anal. Calc. for C H N O, .H O; C:44.03%, H:7.21%, N:7.70%, O:4l.06%, N-Cl-l (l ):2.76%, amino N (2):5.14%, molecular weight:545.536). The titration 7 equivalent measured in the aqueous solution is 182. The optical rotation is [a] =+7 (C 2, in water). The ultraviolet absorption spectrum (in aqueous solution) does not show characteristic absorption at 210 400 m p. but shows only end absorption. The infrared absorption spectrum taken with potassium bromide is shown in HG. l. Destomycin A is soluble in water and lower alcohol and hardly soluble or insoluble in common organic solvent. Rf values of destomycin A when chromatographed on filter paper in O by using watersaturated n-butanol, 0.96 by 1.5% aqueous ammonium chloride solution, 0.07 by phenol-water (3:1), 0.07 by aceton-water (1:1), 0.04 by n-butanol-methanol-water (4:1:2), by benzene-methanol (4:1), 0.20 by tbutanol-acetic acid-water (211:1), 0.55-0.62 by 80% aqueous methanol containing sodium chloride and gives only one spot respectively. Rf value by thinlayer chromatography on active carbon using methanol: l/2N sulfuric acid (1:4) as a solvent gives single spots at 0.50 0.53 when bioautographed.

Destomycin A gives positive reaction to ninhydrin, anthrone, ehrlich reaction and after hydrolysis red tetrazolium reaction.

S-methyl-B-naphthalene sulfonate of destomycin A is white needle crystal and decomposes at l86-189C. The elemental analysis of said sulfonate is as follows: C:51.67%, l-l:6.2l%, N:3.52%, S:7.49%, O:30.63% (Anal. Calcd. for C H N O .3(C H SO ).H O; C:52.55%, l-li5.74%, N:3.47%, S:7.94%, O:30.36%).

Destomycin A is reacted in methanol with acetic anhydride to give white crystal of N-acetyl destomycin A which decomposes gradually at 240 260C. The elemental analysis is as follows: C H N O .3(CH- C0), C:46.36%, H:7.11%, N:6.14%, O:39.39% (Anal. Calcd. for C H N O .3(CH CO).H O: C:46.49%, H:6.75%, N:6.26%, O:40.50%).

When destomycin A is hydrolysed with hydrochloric acid or sulfuric acid three main decomposition products may be obtained. The first product is C l-I N O which is a derivative of deoxy-streptamine and which has one amino radical and one N-methyl group. The optical rotation thereof is [01] l8(C. 2, H O). It is different cited from a decomposition product of h hygromycin B hyosamine C H N O (hydrochloride: [a] =+10.7, Journal of Organic Chemistry, Vol. 27, 2793, 1962 The second product is D-talose as in hygromycin B and the third product is a kind of amino acid, molecular formula of which is C H NO As the result of our structural study, we have determined the chemical structure of destomycin A as 5-0- [2,3'-0-{3, 4",5-trihydroxy-6"-(1"-amino2"- 8 hydroxymethyl )-tetrahydropyran-2 -ylidene}-B-D- talopyranosyl]- 1 -methylamino-3-amino- 1 ,2,3- trideoxy-myoinositol( C H N O Table 1 Minimum inhibitory concentration of destomycins A and B (meg/ml) Destomycins Organism Bacillus subrilis ATCC 6633 20 20 Bacillus sublilis PCl 219 20 20 Bacillus .rubtilis NRRL B558 20 2O Bacillus agri 2O 2O Sarcina lutea 40 40 Staphylococcus aureus 209p 40 Mycobaclerium 607 5 40 Mycobacterium plilei' 1O 40 Klebsiella pneumoniae 40 40 Salmonella Iyphasa 40 20 Salmonella paraIyp/u' A 40 40 Salmonella paralyplii B 80 40 Shigella dysenteriae 4O 4O Escherichia coli 40 40 The above is based upon agar dilution method Xanthomonas aryzae 12.5 6.25 Xanllxamonas cilri 25 25 Xamlwmonas pruni 50 25 Piricularia oryzae 12.5 Peblicularia sasakii 1.56 6.25 Alternaria tennis 0.39 0.78 Alterinaria kikuchiana 3.13 100 Fusarium graminealum 1.56 6.25 Fusarium l \'c0per.r 25 50 Cladosporium Iierbarum 1.56 1.56 Neuraspora simphila 12.5 50 Penicillium roqueforii 6.25 12.5 Pyllu'um ulrinum 0.39 0.78 Aspergillus fumigatus 100 100 Aspergillus claralus 100 100 Aspergillus terreus 100 100 Aspergillu: clzevalieri 100 100 The above is based upon liquid dilution method Destomycin A is very stable and the depression of the potency thereof is not observed on storage for one month at pH 3.8 8.2, 37C. in an aqueous solution. Even at ph 2.0, 92% of the potency is remained. Further the depression of the potency is not observed even by boiling for 30 minutes in 5% aqueous ammonia.

The toxicity of destomycin A in mice is low. LD is 5 mg/kg and 50 100 mg/kg in intravenous and oral administration respectively. According to bite test against musca domestica, destomycin A has a stronger insecticidal activity than destomycin B. Sugared water containing 500 meg/ml of destomycin A showed mortality rate of 70 95% of musca domeszica in 4 7 days.

Comparing destomycin with the known antibiotics in respect of above mentioned characteristics, destomycin A closely resembles hygromycin B or marcomycin but is differentiated from the on optical rotation, molecular formula and molecular weight as shown in the following tableIl.

We have acknowledged from the results described above that destomycin B is a new antibiotics since we have found no antibiotics resembling destomycin B among the known antibiotics.

The potency of destomycin A was assayed by cup method on agar plate using Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633 and Mycobacterium 607 as assay organisms. The potency of destomycin B also was assayed in the same equivalent 189) As it is clear from the table 11 destomycin is entirely different from them in respect of molecular formula and molecular weight. Further in respect of the optical rotation destomycin A is clearly different from marco- V mycin.

Basing upon the results mentioned above we have acknowledged that destomycin'A is new antibiotics.

A new antibiotic destomycin B obtained by the present process 'is white crystal anddecomposes gradually at 140- 200C. The elemental analysis of destomycin B Y is as follows: C:45.34%, H:7.37%, N:7.69%, 039.40%, N-CH :3.98%, amino N:2.57 (Anal. calcd, for Cz H4 N3 14, Hi7.39%, N:7-5 1%, O:4 0.03%, N-CH (2):5.37%, amino N (l):2.50%,

molecular weight:559.562). The titration equivalent measured in the aqueous solution is 190. The optical rotation is [(11 +6(in 1% aqueous solution). The

ultraviolet absorption spectrum (in aqueous solution) does not show characteristic absorption at 210 400 mu but shows only end absorption. The infrared absorption spectrum when pelleted in potassium bromide is shown'in FIG. 2.

The solubility in various solvent, filter paperand thin layer-chromatography and color reaction of destomycin B are very similar to those of destomycin A.

The antimicrobial spectrum of destomycin B is as shown in the table 1 and is effective to bacteria and fungi in wide range but the antibacterial activity against acid fast bacteria is A Vs of that of destomycin A.

On storage for one month at pH 2.0 8.2, 37C. only 10 -j-% depression of the potency is observed. Even by boiling for minutes in 5% aqueous ammonia only 15% of the potency is depressed.

The toxicity of destomycin B in mice is low. LD is about 5 mg/kg and about 50 mg/kg in intravenous and oral administration respectively.

From the characteristics mentioned above, destomycin B can be clearly distinguished from destomycin A and hygromycin B. As shown in FIG. 3, the antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633 and Mycobacterium 607 measured by cup method onagar plate indicates that these'three antibiotics are clearly different from each other. V

manner, using purified destomycin A as standard. The potency of purified destomycin B was 1600 u/mg in case Bacillus'subtilis' ATCC 6633 was used as assay organism and about 100 u/mg in the case of'Mycobacterium 607.

The present invention is illustrated in detail by way of the following examples in which the potency was assayed using Bacillus subtilis ATCC 663 3 as assay organism.

EXAMPLE 1 Streptomyces rimofaciens cultured on a glucoseasparagine agar slant medium was inoculated to a liquid medium (pH 7.0) containing 2% glucose, 1% peptone, 0.3% meat extract, 0.05% K HPO and cultured at 28C. for 48 hours under submerged aeration condition to give a seed culture. 5% of said seed culture was inoculated to 12 l. of a liquid medium (pH 7.2), containing 2.5% glucose, 3.5% soybean meal, 0.5% soluble vegetable protein, 0.25% table salt and 0.4% soybean oil, in a 20 1. volume glass fermentor and cultured at 28C. for 65 hours under submerged aeration conditions. The cultured medium was filtered using Hyflo supercel (Johns-Manville Corp.) as a filter-aid to gave 9.5 l. of filtrate (pH 6.4, 450 u/ml.). The filtrate was applied to a column filled with 300 ml. of Amberlite [RC 50 (NH, type) (Rohm & Haas Co. cation exchange resin of carboxylic acid type). The column was washed with water and eluted with 2% aqueous ammonia. The 300 ml. of the active elute was concentrated under reducedpressure to dryness to gave a crude brown powder (400 u/mg) containing 4.4 g. of destomycins A and B. 2.2 g. of the powder was dissolved in 10 ml. of water and applied to a column filled with ml. of Dowex l 2 (OH' type) (50 mesh, anion exchange resin, Dow chemicals lncorp.) and developed with water. The eluate was fractionated to each 10 ml. Destomycin B was eluted in 10 13th tubes and destomycin A in 15 24th tubes.

The 16 20th fractions of destomycin A were combined and applied to a column filled with 5 g. of active carbon, washed with 200 ml. of water and eluted with one-fifth N sulfuric acid. The active eluate was adjusted to ph 4.0 with Amberlite IR 45 (OH type) and lyophi- 11 lized to gave 330 mg. of white powder (890 u/mg.) of destomycin A sulfate. Yield was 61 mg. per 1 l. of the cultured filtrate.

The fractions of destomycin B were combined and concentrated under reduced pressure to dryness to give 450 mg. of crude powder (750 u/mg.) of destomycin B base. 150 mg. of the base was dissolved in 5 ml. of water and applied to a column filled with 2.5 g. of refined active carbon. The column was washed with 100 ml. of water and eluted with 1/5 N sulfuric acid. 180 ml. of the active eluate was adjusted to pH 5.6 with Amberlite IR 45 (Ol-ltype) and lyophilized to give 76 mg. of white powder (980 u/mg) of destomycin B sulfate. Yield was 23 mg. per 1 l. of the cultured filtrate.

EXAMPLE 2 The seed culture of Streptomyces rimofaciens was inoculated to 1000 l. of the liquid medium as in Example l in 200 1. volume fermentation tank and cultured at 28C. for 68 hours under submerged aeration condition. The cultured medium was filtered using Hyflo Supercel as a filter-aid and washed with water to gave 950 l. of a cultured filtrate (pl-l 7.0, 230 u/ml.). The filtrate was applied to a column filled with 12 l. of Amberlite IRC 50 (Na* type), washed the column with water and eluted with 2% aqueous ammonia. The active portion 20.8 1. of the elute was applied to a column filled with 1 kg. of refined active carbon. The column was washed with 30 of water and eluted with 1 N sulfuric acid. The active portion 12.6 1. of the elute was adjusted to ph 6.8 with Amberlite. IR 45 (OH type) and applied to a column filled with 700 ml. of Amberlite IRC 50 (Nl-lftype). The column was washed with water and eluted with 2% aqueous ammonia. The active portion 2.5 l. of the elute was concentrated to 215 ml. under reduced pressure. The concentrate was applied to a column filled with 1600 ml. of Dowex l X 2 (CH type, 50 100 mesh) and developed with water. The elute was fractionated to each ml. Destomycin B was eluted in 64th 73rd tubes and destomycin A in 76th 300th tubes. The fractions of destomycin A were combined and lyophilized to gave 69.5 g. of white powder (1000 u/mg.) of destomycin A. Yield was 73 mg. per 1 l. of the cultured filtrate.

The fractions of destomycin B were collected and lyophilized to gave 11.9 g. of crude powder (530 u/mg.) of destomycin B. Yield per 1 l. of the cultured CH OH 1111' GHNH2 l (SH-- o 611 110-011 C OH ---CH-." 1 4" l 0H 0H filtrate was 4 mg. as refined destomycin B.

Example 3 6.6 g. of crude powder (530 u/mg.) of destomycin B was dissolved in 50 ml. of water. The solution was applied to a column filled with 50 ml. of Amberlite CG-50 (NH; type). The column was washed with 250 ml. of water and eluted with 0.5% aqueous ammonia. ml. of highly active elute were combined and concentrated to 18 ml. under reduced pressure. The concentrate was applied to a column filled with 400 ml. of Dowex 1X2 (OH type, 50 100 mesh) and developed with water. m1. of highly active elute was lyophilized to give 1.1 g. white powder 1600 u/mg.) of destomycin B.

Example 4 100 mg. of destomycin A (1000 u/mg.) and 200 mg. of sodium 5-methyl-beta-naphthalene sulfonate were added to 3 ml. of water and heated at 60C. to dissolve. The solution was added with 0.3 ml. of l N Hydrochloric acid to adjust to ph 6.8 and cooled to gave 52 mg. of white crystals. Recrystallization from 2 ml. of warmed water gave 30 mg. of white needle crystals (490 u/mg.) of 5-methyl-beta-naphthalene sulfonate of destomycin A. Decomposition point: 186-189C.

We claim:

1. An antibiotic substance, destomycin A, effective in inhibiting the growth of Gram-positve bacteria, Gramnegative bacteria and molds, which is white powder, decomposes gradually at C, the elemental analysis: C:44.70%, H:7.42%, N:7.73%, 0:39.4l%, NCH :3.06%, amino N:4.67, exhibits titration equivalent of 182 (in aqueous solution), exhibits a +7 (C 2, in water), exhibits no characteristic absorption of ultraviolet absorption spectrum at 210 400 m p. but only end absorption, gives a positive reaction to ninhydrin, anthrone, ehrlich reaction and after hydrolsis red tetrazolium reaction, S-methyl- B naphthalene sulfonate of destromycin A being whitle needle crystals, being decomposed at 186 189C, elemental analysis being C:5l.67%, l-l:6.2l%, N:3.52%, S:74.9%, 0:30.63%, N-acetyl destomycin A being white crystals, being decomposed gradually at 240 260C, elemental analysis being C:46.36%, H:7.1 1%, N:6.l4%, 0:39.39%, the chemical structure of destomycin A being 5-0-[2, 3'-0-[3", 4", 5"-trihydroxy-6"-( l amino-2 '-hydroxymethyl )-tetrahydropyran-2 '-ylidene] B -D-talopyranoryl]-1-methylamino-3-amino- 1,2,3 -trideoxy-myoinositol (C H N O H O).

2. An antibiotic substance, destomycin B, effective in inhibiting the growth of Gram-positive bacteria, Gramnegative bacteria and molds, which is a white powder, decomposes gradually at 140 200C, has the elemental analysis C:45.34%, H:7.37%, N:7.69%, :39.40%, NCH3:3.98%, amino N z 2.57%, exhibits titration equivalent of 190 (in aqueous solution) exhibits a 1 6(in 1% aqueous solution), exhibits n0 characteristic absorption of ultraviolet absorption spectrum at 210 400 m p. but only end absorption and has an infrared absorption spectrum as shown in FIG. 2.

3. A process for producing a biologically active substance, identified as destomycin A and B, which comprises cultivating a destomycins A and B-producing strain of Streptomyces rimofaciens ATCC No, 21066 under submerged aerobic conditions in an aqueous carbohydrate solution containing nitrogenous nutrient until the substantial amount of said antibiotics is produced in said medium and recovering destomycins A and B thus produced from the cultured broth.

4. A process for producing destomycins A and B which comprises cultivating Streptomyces rimofaciens ATCC No. 21066 in under submerged aerobic conditions an aqueous carbohydrate solution (pH 6 9 preferably near 7) containing nitrogenous nutrient at a temperature of C, preferably 27 28C. for 2 4 days until the substantial amount of said antibiotics is produced in said medium and recovering destomycins A and B thus produced from the cultured broth.

5. A process claimed in claim 3, which comprises recovering the active principles free from impurities by utilizing the difference in adsorbing affinity. solubility, distribution coefficient, ionbonding strength between the active principles and the impurities.

6. A process claimed in claim 3 which comprises recovering the active principles free from impurities from the cultured broth oy adsorption and elution with ion exchange resin, particularly cation exchange resin of carboxylic acid type.

7. A process claimed in claim 3 wherein the adsorbed principles are eluted with aqueous ammonia.

8. A process claimed in the claim 4, which comprises recovering the active principles free from impurities by utilizing the difference in adsorbing affinity, solubility, distribution coefficient, ion-bonding strength between the active principles and the impurities.

9. A process claimed in the claim 4, wherein the adsorbed principles are eluted with aqueous ammonia 

1. AN ANTIBIOTIC SUBSTANCE, DESTOMYCIN A, EFFECTIVE IN INHIBITING THE GROWTH OF GRAM-POSITIVE BACTERIA, GRAM-NEGATIVE BACTERIA AND MOLDS, WHICH IS WHITE POWDER, DECOMPOSES GRADUALLY AT 180*- 190*C, THE ELEMENTAL ANALYSIS: C:44.70%, H:742%, N:73%, 0:39.41%, N-CH3:3.06%, AMINO N:4.67, EXHIBITS TITRATION EQUIVALENT OF 182 (IN AQUEOUS SOLUTION), EXHIBITS (A)D22=+7* (C2, IN WATER), EXHIBITS NO CHARACTERISTIC ABSORPTION OF ULTRAVIOLET ABSORPTION SPECTRUM AT 210-400 M U BUT ONLY END ABSORPTION, GIVES A POSITIVE REACTION TO NINHYDRIN, ANTHRONE, EHRLICH REACTION AND AFTER HYDROLSIS RED TETRAZOLIUM REACTION, 5-METHYL- B - NAPHTHALENE SULFONATE OF DESTROMYCIN A BEING WHITLE NEEDLE CRYSTALS, BEING DECOMPOSED AT 186* - 189*C, ELEMENTAL ANALYSIS BEING C:51.67%, H:6.21%, N:3.52%, S:74.9%, 0:30.63%, N-ACETYL DESTMYCIN A BEING WHITE CRYSTALS, BEING DECOMPOSED GRADUALLY AT 240* 260*C, ELEMENTAL ANALYSIS BEING C-46.36%, H:7.11%, N:6.14%, 0:39.39%, THE CHEMICAL STRUCTURE OF DESTOMYCIN A BEING 5-0-(2'', 3''-0-(3", 4", 5" -TRIHYDROXY-6"-(1''''''-AMINO2''''''-HYDROXYMETHYL)-TETRAHYDROPYRAN-2"-YLIDENE) B -DTALOPYRANORYL)-1-METHYLAMINO-3-AMINO-1,2,3 -TRIDEOXYMYOINOSITOL (C20H37N3O13.H2O).
 2. An antibiotic substance, destomycin B, effective in inhibiting the growth of Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria and molds, which is a white powder, decomposes gradually at 140* - 200*C, has the elemental analysis C:45.34%, H:7.37%, N: 7.69%, 0:39.40%, N-CH3:3.98%, amino N : 2.57%, exhibits titration equivalent of 190 (in aqueous solution) exhibits ( Alpha )D21 + 6*(in 1% aqueous solution), exhibits no characteristic absorption of ultraviolet absorption spectrum at 210 - 400 m Mu but only end absorption and has an infrared absorption spectrum as shown in FIG.
 2. 3. A process for producing a biologically active substance, identified as destomycin A and B, which comprises cultivating a destomycins A and B-producing strain of Streptomyces rimofaciens ATCC No. 21066 under submerged aerobic conditions in an aqueous carbohydrate solution containing nitrogenous nutrient until the substantial amount of said antibiotics is produced in said medium and recovering destomycins A and B thus produced from the cultured broth.
 3. A PROCESS FOR PRODUCING A BIOLOGICALLY ACTIVE SUBSTANCE, IDENTIFIED AS DESTOMYCINS A AND B, WHICH COMPRISES CULTIVATING A DESTOMYCINS A AND B-PRODUCING STRAIN OF STREPTOMYCES RIMOFACIENS ATCC NO. 21066 UNDER SUBMERGED AEROBIC CONDITIONS IN AN AQUEOUS CARBOHYDRATE SOLUTION CONTAINING NITROGENOUS NUTRIENT UNTIL THE SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF SAID ANTIOBICS IS PRODUCED IN SAID MEDIUM AND RECOVERING DESTOMYCINS A AND B THUS PRODUCED FROM THE CULTURED BROTH.
 4. A process for producing destomycins A and B which comprises cuLtivating Streptomyces rimofaciens ATCC No. 21066 in under submerged aerobic conditions an aqueous carbohydrate solution (pH 6 - 9 preferably near 7) containing nitrogenous nutrient at a temperature of 25* - 30*C, preferably 27* - 28*C. for 2 - 4 days until the substantial amount of said antibiotics is produced in said medium and recovering destomycins A and B thus produced from the cultured broth.
 5. A process claimed in claim 3, which comprises recovering the active principles free from impurities by utilizing the difference in adsorbing affinity, solubility, distribution coefficient, ionbonding strength between the active principles and the impurities.
 6. A process claimed in claim 3 which comprises recovering the active principles free from impurities from the cultured broth oy adsorption and elution with ion exchange resin, particularly cation exchange resin of carboxylic acid type.
 7. A process claimed in claim 3 wherein the adsorbed principles are eluted with aqueous ammonia.
 8. A process claimed in the claim 4, which comprises recovering the active principles free from impurities by utilizing the difference in adsorbing affinity, solubility, distribution coefficient, ion-bonding strength between the active principles and the impurities.
 9. A process claimed in the claim 4, wherein the adsorbed principles are eluted with aqueous ammonia 